My wife had a very similar experience and is a happy pillion on my goldwing. Just grateful she will ride with me as I do love our jaunts out…..mainly to tea shops!
My wife loves to ride pillion but has absolutely zero interest in riding herself. I've tried, but I know now to not push it and just be grateful that she's happy to at least ride pillion. When we first met she hated bikes (she works in life assurance dealing with death claims), so it's a minor miracle that I've even managed to get her on the back of one! I have a friend who recently tried his CBT. It was bought for him by his partner as he'd always wanted to give it a try as he'd never ridden a motorcycle before. But he just couldn't get on with riding a motorcycle, said there was too much going on all at once and he just didn't feel confident or comfortable at all. And he has a pilot's licence and flies regularly! I said a very similar thing to both of them - give it a try, but if you don't like it and don't WANT to persevere to try and gain some confidence, then riding a bike is not for you. Learning aside (we all have to start somewhere), a motorbike is not the place to be if you're feeling nervous or anxious.
It would have been nice to know what I could have done with an understanding instructor. I have a bus license as well as my car license so I'm not adverse to learning new vehicles. It may not have been for me in the end, and I'm fine with that, but I would like to know I gave it a decent chance! It's nice to know it's not just me that found it difficult 😁👍.
My dad and brother were motorbike mad. Dad thought motorbikes were unsuitable for girls, so he bought a Lambretta and taught me to ride down the farm lanes before I was old enough to get a learners licence. I passed my test first time - I'm talking over 60 years ago now. I went miles on that Lambretta and loved it to bits.
I had a short try with a motorcycle. He showed me how to start but not how to stop. So I went over a log and hit a fence. So that was the end for me 😂 if I were younger maybe I would try again
My husband was a motorcycle instructor for more than 40 years, when he listened to your story he was appalled at your instructors behaviour. I really hope, if you decide to have another go, you find a decent instructor who gives you the confidence to ride again !
I’ve always been around motorbikes. My first hubby was a very longtime, confident motorcyclist and we clocked up loads of miles. I eventually took my own test and drove around on my own ER 500 for a couple of years but I really preferred being a pillion, never as confident and comfortable as he was. Second hubby is more a car man and I haven’t ridden for years. Daughter and her partner are big bike people and she does track days on some huge bikes. You have to have the natural confidence especially now a days. Cars, and people, are a lot faster!
I think most who try to do it all too quickly often fail through nerves. You out really should do a couple of years riding untill you gain so much confidence you could ride without thinking about it. But if you try to do it all too quickly you won't have that confidence. Maybe getting another bike and spending that time riding for a 2 year period would get you through your test, but then look at pros and cons, such as do you really need to? Look at the expense? My wife has been riding since we first got married, her first bike was a Suzuki 50, then a Yamaha DT LC 125, this was back in 1982 onwards. Just recently she sold her Yamaha Bolt 950 as she hasn't used it in about 5 years as she has become too nervous. I think as you get older it does get harder to keep your confidence riding, knowing whether to ride or not is something only you will know.. Cheets
You need to lookup motorcycle lessons Uk TH-cam channel…. Female instructor based in Nottinghamshire. She is great to watch and you get to see how she trains…
As I was so scared witless as a pillion I took my bike test before I ever drove a car. As I recall the CBT was just being introduced but I just squeaked in before that. I spent many happy years pootling around on various bikes before I took my car test. They were just introducing the theory tests then and I just squeaked in with my car licence before having to do that too. My last bike was a ZZR600, I enjoyed the biking and the community around it but left it all really and gradually became a softy car driver. I do miss it sometimes when the sun's shining but the state of the roads makes me think maybe not...
You can ride around the pot holes on a bike, no avoiding them in a car! You do have to have a lot of faith in the rider when you are pillion. I'm lucky, Jonathan is a good rider and takes on board the speed I'm happy at going x
I have started riding again so I could ride my partners bike if he had a problem.. I used to have a bike years ago so already have my full bike licence.
My wife had a very similar experience and is a happy pillion on my goldwing. Just grateful she will ride with me as I do love our jaunts out…..mainly to tea shops!
We love our jaunts out on the goldwing too, I'm happy! 👍😁X
My wife loves to ride pillion but has absolutely zero interest in riding herself. I've tried, but I know now to not push it and just be grateful that she's happy to at least ride pillion. When we first met she hated bikes (she works in life assurance dealing with death claims), so it's a minor miracle that I've even managed to get her on the back of one!
I have a friend who recently tried his CBT. It was bought for him by his partner as he'd always wanted to give it a try as he'd never ridden a motorcycle before. But he just couldn't get on with riding a motorcycle, said there was too much going on all at once and he just didn't feel confident or comfortable at all. And he has a pilot's licence and flies regularly!
I said a very similar thing to both of them - give it a try, but if you don't like it and don't WANT to persevere to try and gain some confidence, then riding a bike is not for you. Learning aside (we all have to start somewhere), a motorbike is not the place to be if you're feeling nervous or anxious.
It would have been nice to know what I could have done with an understanding instructor. I have a bus license as well as my car license so I'm not adverse to learning new vehicles. It may not have been for me in the end, and I'm fine with that, but I would like to know I gave it a decent chance! It's nice to know it's not just me that found it difficult 😁👍.
My dad and brother were motorbike mad. Dad thought motorbikes were unsuitable for girls, so he bought a Lambretta and taught me to ride down the farm lanes before I was old enough to get a learners licence. I passed my test first time - I'm talking over 60 years ago now. I went miles on that Lambretta and loved it to bits.
Unsuitable for girls! 🤣 Sounds like you had a great time on your little Lambretta Caroline! X
Have you thought about a trike? It's a truly nice experience! Best wishes to you both x
I've thought about one of those self balancing ones!🤣
I had a short try with a motorcycle. He showed me how to start but not how to stop. So I went over a log and hit a fence. So that was the end for me 😂 if I were younger maybe I would try again
My husband was a motorcycle instructor for more than 40 years, when he listened to your story he was appalled at your instructors behaviour. I really hope, if you decide to have another go, you find a decent instructor who gives you the confidence to ride again !
Thank you Anne, your kind words are appreciated! X
I’ve always been around motorbikes. My first hubby was a very longtime, confident motorcyclist and we clocked up loads of miles. I eventually took my own test and drove around on my own ER 500 for a couple of years but I really preferred being a pillion, never as confident and comfortable as he was. Second hubby is more a car man and I haven’t ridden for years. Daughter and her partner are big bike people and she does track days on some huge bikes. You have to have the natural confidence especially now a days. Cars, and people, are a lot faster!
Friend, Honda makes a rebel 1100 that is DCT (automatic) and might be your size.. I hope you get the courage to try again..
I think most who try to do it all too quickly often fail through nerves. You out really should do a couple of years riding untill you gain so much confidence you could ride without thinking about it. But if you try to do it all too quickly you won't have that confidence.
Maybe getting another bike and spending that time riding for a 2 year period would get you through your test, but then look at pros and cons, such as do you really need to? Look at the expense?
My wife has been riding since we first got married, her first bike was a Suzuki 50, then a Yamaha DT LC 125, this was back in 1982 onwards. Just recently she sold her Yamaha Bolt 950 as she hasn't used it in about 5 years as she has become too nervous. I think as you get older it does get harder to keep your confidence riding, knowing whether to ride or not is something only you will know..
Cheets
Thanks Dan👍. There's a bit of me that always wishes I'd had another go but perhaps I should just let it go! X
You need to lookup motorcycle lessons Uk TH-cam channel…. Female instructor based in Nottinghamshire. She is great to watch and you get to see how she trains…
I'll have a look Lesley thanks 👍
As I was so scared witless as a pillion I took my bike test before I ever drove a car. As I recall the CBT was just being introduced but I just squeaked in before that. I spent many happy years pootling around on various bikes before I took my car test. They were just introducing the theory tests then and I just squeaked in with my car licence before having to do that too. My last bike was a ZZR600, I enjoyed the biking and the community around it but left it all really and gradually became a softy car driver. I do miss it sometimes when the sun's shining but the state of the roads makes me think maybe not...
You can ride around the pot holes on a bike, no avoiding them in a car! You do have to have a lot of faith in the rider when you are pillion. I'm lucky, Jonathan is a good rider and takes on board the speed I'm happy at going x
I have started riding again so I could ride my partners bike if he had a problem.. I used to have a bike years ago so already have my full bike licence.
Do you think you could ride a goldwing if you had to? 🤔
Yeah sounds like you need a better instructor and to get back on the (iron) horse!